Apparatus for holding film



y 1969 w. L. GUYNES 3,442,195

APPARATUS FOR HOLDING FILM Filed Oct. 5, 1966 Sheet L of 2 ,w AI/OAA/EYJ' May 6, 1969 w. GUYNES APPARATUS FOR HOLDING FILM Filed Oct. 5. 1966 United States Patent 3,442,195 APPARATUS FOR HOLDING FILM William L. Guynes, Torrance, Calif., assignor of thirtyeight percent to Albert F. Werner, Redondo Beach, twelve and one-half percent to Nancy M. Sims, Walteria, and twelve and one-half percent to Joan Taupier, Redondo Beach, Calif.

Filed Oct. 3, 1966, Ser. No. 583,633 Int. Cl. G03d 3/00 US. CI. 95-89 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for developing film having a film holder device to mount the film to the inlet section of the developer. The film holder includes a supporting member, a spindle and a support device. The support device is attached to the support member for releasably supporting the spindle. The supporting member is provided with a device for releasably attaching the supporting member to the inlet section of the developer.

This invention relates to an apparatus and method for holding film and more particularly to an apparatus and method for holding spools of X-ray films so that it can be developed or processed in a developing apparatus which is particularly designed for developing or processing relatively large individual sheets of X-ray film.

For many years X-rays have been taken on relatively large individual sheets of X-ray film. In recent years the use of relatively small 70-millimeter X-ray film has become very popular. The 70-rnillimeter film has a width that is substantially less than the width of the large individual sheets of X-ray film. The 70-millimeter film is wound on a spool or roll and many, for example, 450 individual frames, can be taken on a single roll.

One difliculty in using the 70-millimeter film is that there are only a few developing machines that are especially designed for developing or processing the 70-millimeter film. As used herein the term developing machine includes any machine that develops X-ray film Whether or not other processes may be carried out by the machine. For various reasons, including the cost, these 70-millimeter developing machines have not come into Widespread use.

Many, if not most, X-ray laboratories have a developing apparatus for developing the relatively large individual sheets of X-ray film. These machines typically include an inlet section and a plurality of rollers for pulling the film through the various work stations of the machine. The inlet section may include, for example, a tray on which a stack of the individual sheets of X-ray film are placed. The sheets are moved automatically from the stack into and through the various work stations of the machine to develop the film.

Because of the large numbers of these machines already in use, a considerable savings in equipment cost could be realized if these machines were used to develop 70-millimeter film. The chemical processes carried out by this machine are satisfactory for developing the 70-millimeter film. The problem is that this machine is not mechanically adapted at the inlet section thereof to handle the 70-millimeter film.

Heretofore, in using this machine for developing the 70-millimeter film it has been necessary for an X-ray technician to hold the spool of 70-millimeter film during the developing operation. That is, a free end of the 70- millimeter film is suitably fed through the inlet section into the machine and the machine is allowed to unwind the film from the spool while the spool is being held by the technician. The total time consumed may be, for example, 30 minutes for each spool of X-ray film that is developed and for this entire period the X-ray technician must hold the spool of film. This results in a considerable waste of time and inefiicient operation. Furthermore, the attendant or technician cannot hold the film completely rigidly and oftentimes the film is introduced through the inlet section at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis thereof. The effect of this angle is severely multiplied as the film is pulled through the machine. This may result in wrinkling or tearing of the film as it passes through the various rollers of the machine and comes into contact with the sidewalls of the passageway through the machine. This problem is magnified as the attendant becomes tired after having held the spool of film for a considerable period of time. Accurate positioning and holding of the film is made still more diflicult because the developing operation must be carried out in complete darkness.

According to the present invention, the above noted diificulties are obviated in that a sheet type developed is inexpensively and rapidly converted to an apparatus adapted for efiiciently developing 70-millimeter film. Such apparatus can rapidly be reconverted to a sheet type developer. With the present invention, the 70-millimeter film is developed by a developing machine that is particularly adapted for developing the large individual sheets of X- ray film and no attendant need be present during the developing operation. The 70-millimeter film is accurately fed into the developing machine so that no wrinkling or tearing of the film occurs.

These desirable features can be attained by mechanically retaining the spool of X-ray film adjacent the inner section of the developing apparatus While permitting the film to be unwound from the spool. As the spool is mechanically retained, no attendant need be present and accurate alignment of the film with the inlet section of the developing apparatus is achieved. Furthermore, such alignment is maintained throughout the entire developing process so that the film will not be wrinkled or torn by becoming misaligned with the passageway through the machine.

Preferably, the spool is mechanically retained by a film spool holder. It is preferred to substantially rigidly secure the film spool holder to the developing apparatus itself. In order that the spool may be positioned as close to the working stations of the machine as possible, the film spool holder can conveniently be releasably secured to the tray which heretofore had served the purpose of providing a storge area for the individual sheets of X- ray film.

The method of this invention also includes attaching the free end of the spool to a leader to assure that the film on the spool will be pulled through the machine as desired. A developed sheet of X-ray film serves very satisfactorily as a leader and is readily avail-able in an X-ray laboratory. A sheet of undeveloped X-ray rfilm has a coating thereon making it substantially thicker than the 70-millimeter film. This coating is removed when the sheet is developed and such removal makes the film thinner so that it approximates the thickness of the 70-millimeter film. If an undeveloped sheet of X-ray film were used, it may push the opposed rollers of the developing machine too far apart and interfere with the developing process. The rollers of the developing apparatus unwind the 70-millimeter film from the spool which is free to rotate on the film spool holder and the film is progressively pulled through the developing machine.

The film spool holders according to this invention may be embodied in various forms. One preferred embodiment of film spool holder includes a supporting shaft and means for releasably attaching the supporting shaft to the inlet section of the developing apparatus. A spindle is.provided for mounting the spool of X-ray film and such spindle is secured to the shaft by a bracket. The spool of X-ray film is suitably rotatably mounted about an axis transverse to the axis of the inlet section. The releasable attaching means may include suction cups at the opposed ends of the shaft or a spring clip or other retaining means which embrace the shaft and the rim of the inlet section. Alternatively, the shaft may be a telescoping shaft and resilient means therein may bias the opposed end portions of the shaft into tight frictional engagement with the upstanding sidewalls of the tray. If desired, combinations of the above noted releasable attaching means may be employed. It is preferred that the film spool holder be removable from the tray so that the developing apparatus may be used to develop the individual sheets of X-ray film when desired. Of course, if desired, it would be physically possible to rigidly and permanently atfix the film spool holder to the developing apparatus.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation together with further features and advantages thereof may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a typical developing apparatus for developing apparatus for developing the relatively large sheets of X-ray film;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inlet section of such a developing machine with a film holder constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention mounted thereon;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view partially in section of the film holder and illustrating a second means of attaching such film holder to the inlet section of the developing machine;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a third form of means for attaching the film holder to the inlet section;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating a fourth manner of attaching the film holder to the inlet section;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing how the spindle is mounted on the bracket means of the film holder;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the spindle with the spool of film removed and a portion of the bracket means;

FIG. 8 is a perspective 'view of the spring retainer clip utilized in the embodiment of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a spring clip utilized in the embodiment of FIG. 3.

Referring to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, reference numeral 11 designates a developing machine or apparatus of the type particularly adapted for processing or developing individual sheets of X-ray film. The developing machine 11 has a hood 13 which is removable to expose an inlet section 15 (FIG. 2) of the machine. The developing machine 11 has a plurality of work stations therein (not shown) for developing and/ or otherwise processing the individual sheets of X-ray film.

The inlet section 15 includes a tray 17 (FIG. 2) having a bottom wall 19 and a pair of generally parallel sidewalls 21 and 23 extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The tray 17 leads to an inlet opening 25 in the machine 11. The machine 11 has a plurality of rollers 27 (only one pair being shown) for pulling the sheets of film therethrough or for otherwise acting thereon. In using the developing machine 11 for the individual sheets of X-ray film, such sheets are placed in a stack on the tray 17 and fed individually and sequentially through the inlet opening 25 to the rollers 27. The rollers 27 pull the sheets through the various work stations of the machine to allow the sheets of film to be developed and otherwise processed in a conventional manner.

According to the present invention a film holder 29 is provided for mechanically retaining a spool 31 (FIG. 3) with 70-millimeter X-ray film or other film 32 wound in a roll thereon adjacent and in alignment with the central portion inlet section 15 of the developing apparatus 11, while permitting the film to be unwound from the spool. The free end of the film 32 is attached to a leader 33 in any suitable fashion as by a pair of adhesive strips 35. The leader is then fed into the developing machine 11 which automatically draws the leader 33 through the machine. This causes the film 32 to unwind from the spool 31 and to be fed through the developing machine 11 to allow the latter to develop and otherwise process this film.

Preferably, the leader 33 is a developed large individual sheet of X-ray film of the type that the machine 11 is designed to process. The film holder 29 accurately aligns the film 32 with the central portion of the inlet section 15 and maintains such alignment as the film is pulled through the machine. Such alignment is assured by securing the film holder 29 to the tray 17.

Generally, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the film holder 29 includes a supporting shaft 37, a spindle 39, and bracket means 41 for securing the spindle to the shaft. As viewed most clearly in FIG. 3 the supporting shaft 37 includes a tubular central section 43 having a passageway 45 therein and a pair of tubular telescoping intermediate sections 47 and 49 having axial passageways 51 and 53, respectively. The intermediate sections 47 and 49 are slidably telescoped within the central section 43. The supporting shaft 37 also includes a pair of adjustable end sections 55 and 57 slidably received within the passageways 51 and 53', respectively.

In the forms of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, the supporting shaft 37 is secured at least in part by frictional engagement with the side walls 21 and 23 of the tray 17. To accomplish this a coil spring 59' and a pair of plungers 61 and 63, which are secured to the inner ends of the sections 47 and 49, respectively, are mounted in the passageway 45 of the central section 43. The coil spring 59 urges the plungers 61 and 63 and their associated sections 47 and 49' outwardly away from each other. The plungers 61 and 63 have tabs or pins 69 and 71, respectively, which extend upwardly through elongated slots 73 and 75 in the central section 43. By pinching the tabs 69 and 71 together the spring 59 will be compressed and sections 47 and 55 will be moved as a unit toward the sections 49' and 57. The sections 47 and 49 are prevented from falling out of the central section 43 by the engagement of the tabs 69 and 71 with the outer extremities of the slots 73 and 75.

The end sections 55 and 57 extend into the sections 47 and 49. The coil spring 59 acts through the plungers 61 and 63 and the sections 47 and 49 to urge the end sections 55 and 57 outwardly. Set screws 77 and 79 are provided for adjusting and fixing the positions of the telescoping sections 55 and 57 to thereby vary the overall length of the shaft 37 so that the film holder can be used with trays of various sizes.

The outer ends of the telescoping sections 55 and 57 are provided with suitable means for frictionally engaging the side walls 21 and 23. In FIG. 2, such means include suction cups 81 and 83 frictionally secured to the outer ends of the end sections 55 and 57, respectively. In the form shown in FIG. 3, a pair of feet 85- and 87 constructed of rubber or other suitable high friction material are provided on the ends of the sections 55 and 57, respectively.

For most applications, the suction cups 81 and 83 or the feet 85 and 87 frictionally engaging the side walls 21 and 23 of the tray will retain the film holder 29 with sufficient rigidity. However, for certain special applications it may be desirable to utilize a pair of identical spring clips 89 and 91 in conjunction with the suction cups or the rubber feet. As shown in FIG. 3, these clips may be snapped on the end sections 55 and 57.

FIG. 9 shows the details of construction of the clip 89. Such clip includes an arcuate portion 93 adapted to snap on the section 55 and a clamp portion 95 adapted to fit over the rim 97 of the tray 17 and snugly hold the clip 89 on the tray.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a retainer clip 99 is utilized in conjunction with the suction cup 83 to retain the film holder 29 in position. The clip 99 (FIG. 8) has a shaft-embracing portion 101 and a tray embracing portion 103-. As shown in FIG. 4, the portion 103 clamps around an edge 10 5 of the wall 21 and the portion 101 snugly embraces the telescoping section 57. A similar clip 99 may be used on the section '55. The clip 99 may be utilized with the feet 85 and 87.

FIG. 5 shows still another arrangement for securing the supporting shaft 37 to the tray 17. In FIG. 5, the supporting shaft 37 is shortened so that the ends thereof do not engage the side walls 21 and 23 of the tray 17, and the supporting shaft is secured to the tray solely by means of the clips 89 and 91 which are snapped over the opposite end portions of the shaft 37. Thus, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 the coil spring 59 and its associated elements for causing frictional engagement of the shaft 37 with the side walls of the tray 21 and 23 are not required. Similarly, when the arrangement shown in FIG. 5 is utilized the supporting shaft 37 may be a single integral unit as the telescoping parts to vary the length thereof are not needed. In some instances it may be possible to substitute the clip 99 for the clip '89 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

It is apparent therefore that various means may be used to mount the film holder 29 to the tray 17. It is important however that the means selected allow the film holder 29 to be rapidly and easily mounted on and removed from the tray 17. Furthermore, the mounting means selected should rigidly retain the film holder 29' as the film 3-2 is being unwound and run through the developing apparatus 11.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bracket means 41 includes a pair of support arms 107 and 109 suitably secured to the central section 43 and extending perpendicularly therefrom. A web 111 extends between the arms 107 and 109 to make the structure more rigid. The arm 109 has a generally downwardly extending slot 113 (FIG. 6) adjacent the forward end thereof. The slot 113 has a lower groove 115 therein. The arm 107 has a similar slot and groove.

The spindle 39 is mounted in the grooves 115 of the arms 107 and 109 with the axis thereof transverse the axis of the inlet section 15. The spindle 39 has an enlarged head 117 at one end and a nut 119 threadedly secured to the other end thereof to prevent an undue amount of axial movement of the spindle. The film 32 is wound on a spool 31 which is rotatably mounted on the spindle 39 as shown in FIG. 3.

If desired a resilient tab 121 may be provided for at least initially engaging the film 32 on the roll to provide a slight resistance to the unwinding of the film and to this extent control the unwinding. The clip has a flat portion 123 which is releasably secured to the Web 111 by a wing nut 127 and a bolt 129. A slot 131 provides an adjustment for varying roll sizes. A resilient arouate portion 133 extends upwardly over a portion of the roll of film. The portion 133 engages the film and may be sufiiciently resilient and flexible to maintain such engagement as the diameter of the roll of film decreases.

By utilizing the film holder 29, the developing machine 11 is rapidly and efiiciently converted to a machine suitable for developing 70millimeter X-ray film. By merely pinching the tabs 69 and 71 together to reduce the overall length of the supporting shaft 37, the latter may be inserted into the tray 17 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. When the tabs 69 and 71 are released, the spring 59 is operative to urge the feet 85 and 87 into tight frictional engagement with the side walls 21 and 23, respectively. Ordinarily, the clips 89 and 91 will not be necessary when the cups 8 1 and 83 or the feet 85 and 87 are used. When the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is being used the clips 89 and 91 are merely snapped over the shaft 37 and the rim 97 of the tray 17. The developing machine 11 is thus completely converted for use with the 70-millimeter film.

To develop a roll of 70-millimeter film, the spindle 39 is removed from the slots 113 and the nut 119 is removed from the spindle. A spool 31 having film 32 wound thereon is slipped over the spindle 39 and the nut 119 is replaced on the spindle. The spindle 39 with the spool 32 of film thereon is then reinserted into the slots 113 as shown in FIG. 6. The leading end of the film 32 is then attached to the leader 33 as with the adhesive strips 35. The leader 33 is then fed into the developing machine 11 which pulls the leader and the film attached thereto through the machine. The spool 31 is freely rotatable on the spindle 39 and rotates as the film is unwound therefrom and is pulled through the machine 11. When the first roll of film has been processed, a second similar roll may be quickly and easily mounted on the spindle 39 and fed through the machine 11 in a similar manner. Of course the present invention can be used with film of various sizes and is not restricted solely to 70-millimeter film.

Although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, many changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a film holder for retaining a spool of X-ray film wherein the holder is attachable to an inlet section of a developing apparatus for processing individual sheets of X-ray film, the combination of:

a supporting member;

means for releasably attaching said supporting member to the inlet section of the developing apparatus;

a spindle for mounting the spool of X-ray film for rotation; and

support means attached to said supporting member for releasably supporting said spindle with the axis of said spindle extending generally transverse to the axis of the inlet section, the spool of X-ray film being rotatable relative to said support means to allow the X-ray film to be unwound therefrom.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said supporting member includes a supporting shaft and said support means includes bracket means for supporting the end portions of the spindle.

3. A combination as defined in claim 1 including resilient means mounted on one of said supporting member i23nd said support means for resiliently engaging the X-ray 4. A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for releasably attaching includes means for retaining said supporting member against rotation relative to the inlet section.

'5. A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein the inlet section includes a tray with upstanding side walls and said means for releasably attaching includes a telescoping section of said support member extendible into frictional engagement with one of said upstanding side walls.

6. A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein the inlet section has an outer rim and said means for releasably attaching includes means for embracing said support member and engageable with the rim of the inlet section.

7. In an apparatus for developing X-ray film Wound on a spool, the combination of:

an apparatus for developing individual sheets of X-ray film and having an inlet section and roll member for pulling the film therethrough;

a film holder for the spool of X-ray film;

means for releasably attaching said film holder to the inlet section with the axis of the spool being generally transverse to the axis of the inlet section; and

said film holder including a supporting structure and a spindle mounted on said supporting structure, the spool of X-ray film being mounted on the spindle and rotatable relative to the supporting structure.

8. In an apparatus for developing X-ray film wound on a spool, the combination of:

an apparatus for developing individual sheets of X-ray film and having an inlet section and roll members for pulling the film therethrough;

a film holder for the spool of X-ray film;

means for substantially rigidly attaching said film holder to the inlet section with the axis of the spool being generally transverse to the axis of the inlet 5 section;

said film holder including a supporting structure and a spindle mounted on said supporting structure, the spool of X-ray film being mounted on the spindle and rotatable relative to the supporting structure; and said inlet section including a tray with upstanding side walls and said supporting structure including a telescoping member having end portions extendible into engagement with said upstanding walls and resilient means for urging said end portions into tight frictional engagement with said side walls to firmly releasably attach the film holder to the tray.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1949 Luboshez 9589 6/ 1963 Burnet et a1. 95-94 

